WEATHER STATIONS AT UTAH'S BACKCOUNTRY AIRSTRIPS
It was a cold, blustery, and snowy day at Cedar Mountain Airstrip in Utah when RAF Utah Liaison and UBCP Board Member, Wendy Lessig met with representatives from the Utah Division of Aeronautics (UDOT Aeronautics) and the BLM, to scout out locations for a portable weather station. UDOT Aeronautics is proposing to place 11 portable weather stations at backcountry airstrips across Utah. The weather stations will provide on-airstrip weather data for pilots, emergency services, firefighters, BLM employees, and other recreational users. A project developed together by the UBCP and UDOT Aeronautics as part of Utah’s Airport Capital Improvement Program, the weather data will fill in gaps where no weather collection currently exists, which will help enhance public safety. RAF Utah Liaison, Wendy Lessig, is facilitating communications with the BLM and has prepared the applications for BLM to review and approve the weather stations. "This project is a true collaboration of stakeholders working together to improve backcountry aviation," Lessig said.
In the photo, L to R: Wendy Lessig (RAF Utah Liaison), Nick Holt (UDOT Aeronautics), Nicole Zinger (UDOT Aeronautics), and Dan Rainey (BLM).
Submitted January 15, 2025
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KANSAS STATE LIAISON
When asked, “What do you like about the RAF?” Jeremy Harris quickly answered, “I love to fly, I love being out in nature, and sharing that with other people.” When the opportunity came up to take a more active role with the RAF, Jeremy didn’t hesitate to raise his hand. “I’ve wanted to fly friends and family around since I was a kid. Growing up in central Texas, the idea of freedom, adventure, and seeing new places from the air always stuck,” he says. After two years of college, he joined the US Army and worked as an intelligence analyst supporting combat search and rescue. “Being around airplanes every day only fueled my desire to fly,” he says. After his Army service, Jeremy took his first flight at a small flight school outside of D.C. and was instantly hooked. Life got busy with a new marriage, growing a technology company, even finishing his undergrad and master's degrees, and three great kids. On his 32nd birthday, he earned his PPL. Over the years, he partnered in several airplanes and focused mostly on training. “The sense of adventure slowly faded, until I decided to fly for fun, even if nobody else wanted to go,” he says. He earned his tailwheel endorsement in a J-3 Cub in the mountains of West Virginia. “Flying through mountain valleys and landing on grass strips next to rivers reignited everything for me,” Jeremy said. He bought a Maule M-4 and began flying to backcountry camping spots. In 2022, Jeremy moved back to Texas and purchased a Citabria, where he now provides tailwheel endorsements and spin training. He flies almost every day, and says, "I build relationships with local airstrip owners, and look forward to helping the RAF keep this dream alive—connecting pilots who love flying, freedom, and time spent in nature.” Feel free to reach Jeremy at jharris@theraf.org . Submitted January 13, 2025.
The RAF warmly welcomes Will Richter to the State Liaison team. Will Richter began his aviation journey in the midst of his law enforcement career when he had an opportunity to try out for the Greenville, South Carolina Sheriff’s Air Support Unit. He spent the next seven years flying co-pilot on a Bell OH-58 patrol helicopter. As time and finances allowed, Will pursued his sport pilot license flying Weight Shift Control (WSC) trikes, as well as earning his private and instrument ratings in fixed wing aircraft, and a commercial UAS pilot certificate. Now semi-retired, Will is a licensed general contractor in the stormwater and environmental sector. He owns a Sling TSI fixed-wing aircraft, and an Evolution Revolt WSC trike. “I fly several times a week for work and pleasure,” he says. “The mountains of Western North Carolina have always felt like home to me, and I look forward to exploring and connecting with as many airfields as possible to further the RAF mission,” he adds. Will can be reached at wrichter@theraf.org . Submitted January 13, 2025.
Mike overseeing the St. Ignatius Autumn Pumpkin Drop to benefit local children (pictured on the right).
When we start a new year, we’re tempted to focus only on what lies out in front of us. Yet, what does lie out front is generally some result of the past. To begin, the RAF would like to thank each of you who have responded to our year-end outreach, where we – as best we can – politely ask for your financial support. For those of you who have already responded, thank you, and for those who have yet to do so, we look forward to hearing from you. I was on the phone with long-time friend and early RAF director Tim Clifford. Tim and I were talking about how we best keep in touch with early RAF friends. Even more important, how do we express to you about those people who came before us, and what they accomplished? Dave Myrick of Arkansas was just one such guy. Not even quite sure how Dave entered the RAF, but when he did, we immediately knew he was going to be a family member you were always glad to see. Before there was a Trigger Gap or a Richland Creek, it was Dave who drove (yes, drove) around much of what we know as the heart of the Arkansas backcountry. He did so with the help of a small grant facilitated by the RAF and the Walton Family Foundation. He would get in his little pickup and drive up and down just about every farm road in the Ozarks. He’d take time to meet and talk to landowners and tell them of the backcountry aviation community’s interest in having “places to go.” He was pretty darn effective, as he was the catalyst for what we all know now as the Arkansas backcountry, Fly Oz, and, in general, just great relationships. When not seeking permission to land, he could be found working at a display table telling the RAF story, going to the state legislature to advocate for aviation in the statutes, and rustling up new enthusiastic supporters. When we learned that Dave had passed in 2024, we remembered him as a standout among so many who have built the RAF. People who cared deeply and worked to make it better for all of us. So, what I would like to ask is that we all keep the folks who have done so much to make this RAF thing work close to our hearts. Next time you enjoy something that’s pretty darn cool, like Trigger Gap, it probably happened because of people like Dave. With that same spirit, let’s all look forward to what lies ahead, and step right up to the bar of 2026; and like Dave would have said, say, “This one’s on me!” - John McKenna, RAF Chairman Submitted January 7, 2025.
